NightTalk withAubrey Masango

Former apartheid police assassin Eugene de Kock's lawyer says correctional services held his client against his will at Kgosi Mampuru prison for about two hours today, saying his life was under threat and therefore needs police protection.

Attorney Julian Knight says there is allegedly a threat against de Kock's life.

He was told at the meeting, he was then to accompany the state security officials to a State house, allegedly because his life was under threat.

— Barry Bateman, EWN reporter

De Kock declined the invitation and he attempted to leave, at which point his car was blocked and he was prevented from leaving.

— Barry Bateman, EWN reporter

The position by de Kock as told by Julian Knight, was that if there is in fact a threat against his life, deal with the threat don't arrest me.

— Barry Bateman, EWN reporter

De Kock was released on parole last year after nearly 20 years imprisonment for crimes including kidnapping, murder and assault.

During apartheid, de Kock headed up the notorious unit based at Vlakplaas responsible for the assassinations of anti-apartheid activists fighting the regime.